Six of the councilors followed him—six patriot seceders.
That was a notable day for liberty: it made Trumbull a power, though he could not see it.
The people upheld Trumbull. At the next election they cast out of office the Governor and those of his councilors who had received the oath, and Connecticut was free.
In a short time the people made Jonathan Trumbull, who risked all by leaving the room at the dusk of that decisive day, their Governor, and they continued him in office until his hair turned white, and he heard the town bells all ringing for the independence and peace of America.
Had his act cost him his life he would have done the same. He would have owned his soul. Honor to him was more than life—
My life and honor both together run;
Take honor from me and my life is done.
When “Brother Jonathan” returned to Lebanon he was greeted by all hearts. The rugged farmers gathered on the green around him with lifted hats. The children hailed him, even the Indian children. The dogs barked, and when the bell rang out, it rang true to his ears; for him forever the bell of life rang true.
But his life was forfeited to the Crown. What of that? His soul was safe in the Almighty, and he slept in peace, lulled to rest by the whispering cedars. So began the great public career of Trumbull. He was chosen Lieutenant-Governor in 1766, and Governor in 1769.
He was made the chairman of the Connecticut Council of Public Safety, which met at his war office, which at first was a protected room in his little store. His biographer, Stuart, thus gives us glimpses of this busy place: